The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-01-13

and signatures, were read on the same
subject:
I'D. Williams, Young coun6y.
H. T. Berry, Hood county.
Ethan Allen, Martin county.
/ r. B. Conner, Brown county.
j. T.. Hammons, Eastland county.
j. A. Hardin, Comanche county.
10. Hanna, Nolan county.
w. G.. Thomas, Fisher county.
VIM. w. MoOres, Erath county.
g. j. Chapman, Haskell county.
A. X. Barry, Bosque county.
IL was moved and carried by unanimous
vote that the reports OF county judges not
yet handed in be received by the secretary
and filed with the above reports.
After a full expression of all present
and discussion of several hours, the
following appeal was unanimously
adopted:
To the state Government, the National Congress,
and to all PhilanthrOpst5, Charitable Societies
and Charitable Persons:
Bu it known, that at a meeting of coun
ty Judges, held i'll Albany, ShacBelford
county, Texas, on the 29th day of Decem-
Der, 1885, in which meeting, ten counties,
to-wit: Stephens, Coleman, Taylor, Cal
lahan, Jack, Shackeford, Parker, Palo
Pinto, Jones and Runnels were represent
ed by the county judges of said counties,
in person, and eleven counties, to wit:
Hood, Martin, Brown, Eastland, CO.
manche, Nolan, Fisher, Erath, Haskell,
Young and Bosque, sent reports under
seal of their respective county judges, it
was shown that in each and every one of
these counties there has been partial,
and, in many parts, an absolute and com
plete failure of all crops, and in conse-
quence of such failure of crops of all
kind, there is great want and actual
suffering among the people of this sec
ton, and that there is an existing, i'm
perative need of, and demand for relief
in the way of food and clothing for about
thirty thousand 100000 people for five
or six months, or until crops can be
raised; and there is necessity for dona-
tons of seed for planting and other re-
lief, for a much larger number who are
not yet in absolute need of immediate
supplies of food, but who must have aid
to enable them to remain at their homes
and make a crop next year.
We most heartily indorse and approve
the action OF all those undetermined per-
sons who have interested themselves in
behalf of those of our people who are
now suffering from cold and hunger, and
express our regret that any one has been
so misled by false statements as to assert
that there is no want and no suffering for
food and clothing in this section, and
while we deplOre the fact, yet the fact
exists that there is actual want, the result
of a drought that has caused the complete
failure of crops, which can only be re-
leved by aid promptly extended by our
state and national governments, and the
charitable public. We realize the fact
that help is needed, and help must be had
from some source to feed and clOthe the
destitute, and we feel justified in making
this appeal. not only for bread to feed the
hungry and clothing for those who need
1t. but also for spring seed with which to
SOW our fields, with the hope of reaping
harvest next year that shall drive want
and suffering from our country; and in
QUE opinion anything less than 100000
will be inadequate to the present necessi-
ties of our people to enable them to live
and make another crop.
With these facts established by person.
nj observation, we place the claims of our
suffering people before a charitable,
Christian world, and ask such assistance
rs our more fortunate brethren and
friends may be able to extend; and in
this come ction we think it is our duty to
ask the papers throughout the state to
desist from making statements denying
the fact of the restitution now to be
found in this section, for the reason that
such statements, false in themselves, have
heretofore served to close the hand of
that Christian charity that would furnish
the relief so much needed. While CRATE
fully appreciating the contributions al
ready received from a generous public,
we are panied to acknowledge that those
amounts, being now almost exhausted,
have proved inadequate to the pressing
necessities of the needy in our respective
counties. The following resolution was
adopted;
Resolved, by this convention that we
heartily endorse the bill introduced in
congress by our representative, Hon. 5.
W. L. Lanham. asking aid for the portion
of the state of Texas embracing the
counties represented by us, and which are
included in the drouthy part of the state;
and that We urge and entreat the congress
Of the United States to pass said bill, and
thus aid our citizens to get seed with